From company collapses to billion-dollar deals: Qld business world’s best and worst of 2022
It’s been a year like no other for Queensland’s business movers and shakers. City Beat looks back at who made the news.
Small Business
Medlab Clinical kicks off US float plans
The biotech group’s shares rally as chief executive Sean Hall and his team prepare for a dual listing in the US.
Smooth sailing for $233m Queensland luxury boat builder
Gold Coast luxury boat builder Riviera Australia has had another busy year delivering more than 150 vessels to customers around the globe despite supply chain challenges.
Young Brisbane entrepreneur creates $10m lifestyle brand
From her kitchen table almost 10 years ago Ellen Powell has created a $10m lifestyle products business firmly focused on expansion.
Adelaide biotech secures big funding boost
BiomeBank, which converts healthy stool samples into microbiome therapies for gut ailments, had raised capital to fast-track its plans.
Top 20 Under 40: Qld’s young business stars revealed
They are young, determined and taking the business world by storm. Meet the young entrepreneurs who made the cut for this year’s Top 20 Under 40 list.
Cronos to hit $100m in revenue after investor huff and puff
After resolving a bitter feud with its founder, medicinal cannabis marketplace Cronos is on track to deliver a bumper year in earnings.
Queensland company collapses skyrocket in past month
Building and hospitality firms were among nearly 100 Queensland companies that hit the skids in the last month, a sharp rise from previous months. See the full list.
Popular Brisbane eatery closes as taxman moves in
One of the city’s most popular cafes has gone to the wall owing the taxman a six figure sum.
120 jobs at risk: $7m loss final nail for construction services group
Cost blowouts and Covid has put a Queensland construction services group into voluntary administration but there is hope parts of the business can be salvaged and jobs saved.
Brisbane robot firm attracts big investor
A big investor is backing the Brisbane robotics firm that hit the headlines this year for helping save a small US mining town from economic collapse.
Meet the Brisbane couple lighting up Amazon, Pfizer and Ford
The couple behind boutique Brisbane lighting manufacturer have won global recognition for their work and now earn 80 per cent of their revenue from the US.
Jobs saved as white knight rescues struggling tourism group
More than 50 workers will keep their jobs after a white knight emerged to buy a struggling Queensland-focused tourism group which collapsed last month owing $15m.
Sales frenzy: 176 extra staff to pack 10,000 orders a day
A growing Queensland activewear business with a global cult following has employed an extra 176 staff to pack an avalanche of Black Friday orders this week.
Upstart Brisbane firm’s crack at $2bn summer moving rush
The young entrepreneur behind an innovative Brisbane removalist booking platform expects revenue to skyrocket to $30m this financial year as Australia’s ‘great migration’ ramps up.
Gourmet chocolate price hike puts brakes on Xmas demand
Chocolatiers fear their expectations of a Christmas surge in demand will not be realised as price rises put off holiday orders.
Brisbane flower giant gears up for Xmas rush with an Aussie twist
One of Australia’s biggest online florists has already started ramping up for a busy Christmas season. And this year roses won’t be the pick of the bunch.
Jobs lost as Covid impact triggers Brisbane firm’s collapse
A Brisbane fire alarm inspection firm has collapsed blaming the impact of the pandemic for its financial woes.
85-year-old Brisbane firm adopts novel leadership style
A well-known Brisbane architectural practice is celebrating its 85th birthday with new branding and a novel approach to leadership.
Brisbane-developed ‘heart attack detector’ a potential life saver
A small wearable sensor being developed by a Brisbane health tech firm has the potential to pick up the early warning signs of heart attack, dehydration and other life-threatening conditions.
Sold for zero: Brazilian Beauty clinics transferred to founder’s daughter
A company controlled by Brazilian Beauty founder Francesca Webster sold nine clinics to her daughter for zero dollars before the firm collapsed owing up to $1.7m.
Lottery sales surge but a price rise is on the way
Lottery and keno players are back in force, but The Lottery Corporation is about to raise prices for Powerball.
Young-gun builds $35m war chest for agtech deals
Mark Gustowski and his innovative Brisbane-based venture capital fund is raising a war chest of up to $35m to invest in the agrifood tech and sustainability sector.
Pixelforce acquires Svelte Studios, looks to further investment
Pixelforce, a long-time partner of Sweat, has acquired Svelte Studios and is looking to further equity investments.
From 14yo in Mum’s garage to $3m-a-year surfboard empire
A Queensland surfboard business started by a teenager in his mother’s garage is now a $3m success story riding a wave of global success.
Dealers’ lawyer tells court Mercedes ‘unconscionable’
The Federal Court has begun hearing closing arguments in the $650m lawsuit against German car giant Mercedes-Benz by its Australian dealers.
New budget measures for business owners and workforces
Money to upskill local manufacturing and an increase on the skilled migration cap are two measures aimed at business owners facing skill shortages, inflation and global challenges.
Glass recycler hits wall owing $5m
A glass recycling company that supplies road base material to Brisbane City Council and others has fallen into administration owing creditors more than $5m.
Brissie tech high-flyers jetting off in bid to lure US investors
A rapid test for sepsis, a bionic voice box, and an earpiece to detect heat stress are some of the homegrown lifesaving innovations that will soon be showcased in the US.
Brazilian Beauty founder puts firms into administration
Brazilian Beauty CEO Francesca Webster, who founded the salon chain in 2004, has put two of her companies into administration.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/small-business/page/8